queen bodecia

I agree that stopping on a clear road for no apparent reason can be dangerous. But that does not mean that anyone following should hit them. You should always be able to stop safely in the distance you can see to be clear. The rear vehicle in a crash is almost always 100% to blame for simply not leaving enough of a stopping distance. Think on.

Throttled, just be careful of that. A loose fit may mean that in the event of a spill, the armour moves around and does not protect the vulnerable parts it is designed to protect. In fact armour that has moved can in itself contribute to injury. With motorcycle clothing you should always aim for a snug but not restrictive fit. Back to the OP, there seems to be a whole world of difference between motorcycle clothing sizes. Most of the off-the-peg stuff made in Pakistan (Alpinestars, Dainese, FT, RST, etc.) comes up very small. I have found more realistic sizes with HG and Halvarssons gear, but there really is no substitute for trying things on and getting advice for a good fit. Fit is far more important than brand. With textile clothing look out for a Cordura or Ballistix outer shell with kevlar reinforcements and weatherproof features such as Goretex/Dryway. Avoid polyester outer shells, they are not particularly resistant to abrasion and readily melt due to friction. They are cheap for a reason.

Aye, I was at the café at Whitwell with Rachel & Martin (and lads & dogs!). Didn't realise everyone was at the boat club! I did see Ash but didn't recognise him. We found everyone eventually but sorry to miss Rennie & Susie.

We'll I've only just gotten up and I'm going. See yas there.

Which bit of north shore? Barnsdale or Whitwell?

I can meet yas all down at Rutland Water. Any idea what time?

I'm free if owt gets organised. I don't do early starts either. Sunday is my one day off each week, I need a lie in!

XR1100 is one of the quietest lids on the market. But having said that I still use ear plugs, a helmet will never sufficiently protect your ears from wind noise.

I have a little compressor thing that plugs into the car battery socket, cost about £20 and so far it seems accurate. Garage forecourt air lines and gauges are notoriously unreliable, plus you should always check and inflate your tyres when completely cold, not when you have ridden to a garage.

Find gloves that fit you well and get used to riding with them. Simples.

I've got the lurgy! So I think I'd better keep my germs to myself this evening. Sorry folks!

I can personally vouch for Halvarssons gear. I don't ride in the rain if I can help it but when it happened unexpectedly last year, the gear stayed dry inside and out. This is the power of Goretex/Dryway. Cheaper waterproof alternatives usually just have a waterproof lining underneath a polyester outer. Not only is this not breathable, but it also means the polyester outer becomes waterlogged and heavy and takes an age to dry out. Not very nice if it hasn't dried by the time of your next journey. It's not particularly pricey either starting from £350 for a jacket and trouser zip-together suit. Hein Gericke Goretex gear is similarly priced.

It's a little bit pompous, but ignore the tone of voice and the advice is invaluable.

Have fun and good luck folks! A very worthy cause.

I'll be there (of course!).

You'd probably be better off with decent quality textile suit (i.e. Cordura not polyester with Goretex/Dryway and kevlar inserts/armour) for commuting, as it will be more or less 'weatherproof'. You would certainly have no problem wearing your shirt underneath the jacket, I always do, but expect it to get a bit crumpled. You would want to change the trousers. I would suggest if your trousers are loose enough that you can fit another pair of trousers underneath, then they do not fit you correctly and the armour will not be protecting the appropriate areas correctly. Loose clothing means that in the event of a spill, the armour moves about and the clothing can ride up. I can pretty much only fit leggings under my textile or leather trousers. You will also need to carry a change of shoes.

I stick to posted speed limits religiously (as in I don't go above but often go below) . Motorways I don't go above 85mph. Quiet A and B roads, I do whatever speed I think is appropriate.

Bike boots are rarely gender-specific. However, if it's just a size issue many start from size 3 so you should find something that fits. The problem I have is wide calves so most zip-fastening boots do not fit so I have some Lindstrands boots with shoelace and velcro fastenings. Your only option is to get out there and try them on. In the Notts area you have Hein Gericke, J&S, CMC and Pidcocks.

I have the XR1100. Like you both fit me really well but I preferred the lightness and the vents on the XR, not to mention the graphics. Both score really well in the Sharp tests and are excellent lids.

Have fun folks and keep it safe. Sorry I won't be there, but I'll definitely do the next one.

Would love to come but I'll be somewhere over the Atlantic on Sunday! Enjoy!

Both pretty much the same, in fact I suspect like most branded off-the-shelf bike gear they are made in the same factory in Pakistan. The best leather bike trousers for you are the ones that fit you correctly. Don't look at the label, look at the fit.

I should point out that the Alpinestars/Dainese/whatever gear worn by motoGP riders and their ilk is made-to-measure and highest quality materials. The stuff you buy off-the-peg at the BMF show or wherever is not. Only the logos are the same. RiDE tests have their flaws but they are pretty much the only organisation out there doing like-for-like testing for branded motorcycle gear. By all means, take these tests into account when buying your gear but fit is the most important aspect of your purchase.

The important part is fit. Many of the off-the-peg branded leathers are made in the same factory in Pakistan and then branded. So often you are getting the same quality leather, the same manufacturing process but you'll pay extra for the brand.

Is it a Marushin Ikusa? If so, and it's a good fit (see Sharp website for good advice as to how to buy a well-fitting helmet), then why not? If you don't like the design, there are plenty of other designs for the same model. The Marushin Tiger and Samurai lids are slightly cheaper and score 5 stars rather than 4 also. By far the most important aspect of buying a helmet is fit.